A sound business and regulatory environment reduces the risks and cost associated with business activities. Improving existing reforms, introducing creative and innovative ways of doing business, stimulates growth and simplifies the registration formalities to starting a business.

Several Ghanaian businesses, especially Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), face challenges, including bureaucratic red tape such as complex procedures and processes when registering their business or property, increasing transaction costs and reducing competitiveness.  Ghana’s overall performance on steps taken to address  existing challenges within the business environment has earned her a depressing  ranking of 118^th out of 190 economies on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Report, (2020).

The teeming nature of these challenges often discourages many start-up businesses and also entrepreneurs within the informal sector from formalising their operations. Engagements with multiple stakeholders over the years have led to four (4) broad areas of concern, which need addressing. These are (1) complex processes for starting a business; (2) land title and property rights; (3) enforcement of contracts; and (4) resolving insolvency.

The above issues highlight the need for a reform agenda focused on reducing regulations and improving Ghana’s business environment. Getting this right will truly position Ghana as West Africa’s premier manufacturing, trade and services hub, thereby reducing unemployment by catalysing jobs growth.

To this end, IMANI Centre for Policy and Education (“IMANI CPE”) and GIZ Ghana (“GIZ”) is pleased to invite you to share your insights as a panellist at its Reform Dialogue Series (RDS). The fifth RDS will examine Ghana’s business registration and regulations and their impact on the business climate.

The dialogue seeks to bring together key stakeholder groups to discuss alternative solutions to improving Ghana’s business climate.

Below are the key discussion points: 

1.  Examine the key bottlenecks to business registration and identify ways to minimise its effects.

2. Explore areas that technological improvements have been used to make business registration and regulation more efficient, less costly and timely.

3. Examine the challenges in property registration and how they can be improved.

4. Explore ways to improve the business insolvency framework and other judicial reforms.